In rural Missouri, where stray animals often outnumber shelter spaces and pet owners struggle with rising costs, one woman decided prevention was the only way to break the cycle. SNIP ‘EM Founder and President Amy Pearson has spent the past year growing a grassroots effort into a multi-county nonprofit organization dedicated to ending pet overpopulation one surgery at a time. “SNIP was born out of firsthand experience,” said Pearson. “While volunteering at the Humane Society of Ray County (HSRC), I witnessed the overwhelming reality of pet overpopulation. Puppies and kittens, not just adult animals, were being dumped, abandoned and turned away because shelters and rescues were full.” Pearson noted the lack of space and limited number of volunteers made it clear the root of the issue had to be addressed through prevention. “Spay/neuter procedures – critical for preventing unwanted litters and for longterm animal health – were becoming financially out of reach for many families due…